"He intends to do the Leaving Certificate and is looking to have a sentence imposed to enable him to do that," the lawyer said.

Judge Ní Chonduin, who was furnished with a welfare report on the boy, said he needed a "structured environment".

The teenager on being told that the suspended six-month sentence was being activated spoke up to tell the court he needed a longer period in custody. "I will not be able to do my Leaving Cert, it is a two year course".

Judge Ní Chonduin then imposed a consecutive 10-month term for his other offences meaning he will be detained for a year and four months. "I hope you do well," she told the boy, who then hugged his mother, before he left the courtroom.

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